Radiation Safety Protocols for Fluoroscopy: Radiation Quantities and Units (CE AVIR)

X-rays have revolutionized medicine and enabled us to diagnose and help patients that would not have been possible without them. X-rays can cause acute harm, cancer and birth defects if not administered correctly and that is why practitioners must understand and manage patient dose and scattered radiation to insure overall safety. In this third episode of the 8-episode series Radiation Safety Protocols for Fluoroscopy we will talk about radiation quantities and units and what their effects are physically and biologically.

• Direct & Indirect Damage
• Chromosome Aberrations
• Factors that Affect Radiosensitivity
• Genetic Effects
• Hormesis Debate

• Understand the units for absorbed dose and effective dose
• Explain how to convert rem to Sv
• Determine what is the “reference point” and why is it important?
• Describe what units are useful for
• Identify what instrument you would use for a scatter survey

This course is designed for physicians and healthcare professionals performing fluoroscopically guided procedures in the cardiac and interventional suite. It is designed to enhance understanding of radiation as a tool that must be managed to protect staff and patients in the use of fluoroscopic equipment. You will learn the biological effects of x-ray radiation and principles of radiation protection. You will improve your understanding of operation and principles of fluoroscopic equipment including exposure (air kerma) outputs, high level control options, dose reduction techniques and procedures for recording data.

Additionally, this program is designed as part of an 8-episode series to bring healthcare professionals who use radiology in healthcare practice up to date with the latest standards of care, including Texas Administrative Code §289.227.